Historic day for rower wowing millions of mothers
DOUBLE golden girl Helen Glover made history for Team GB yesterday – by becoming the first mum to compete as a British Olympic rower.
And she celebrated qualifying in her opening Tokyo pairs heat with teammate Polly Swann as only a mother could – by singing Happy Birthday to her three-year-old son Logan in a video message sent back home.
The double Olympic champ and Polly are hopeful of success in Tokyo.
But Helen, 35 – who also has 18-month-old twins Kit and daughter Bo – already tops the podium for millions of mums in Britain, just for being there.
And she revealed many have been in touch, hailing the mum of three for “having a go” while juggling raising young children.
Helen said: “I was expecting to watch the Olympics on TV. But I wanted to do this to represent other parents and people who didn’t believe it possible.”
SPECIAL
She and doctor Polly, 33, finished third in the searing heat of the opening round yesterday to reach Tuesday’s semi-final.
“It is good to get through… we knew it was not our perfect row,” said Helen.
“We know we could do better. But it would be frustrating if we had a perfect row in race one.”
Then it was back to being a mum – seeing videos of the children sent to her by conservationist and TV presenter husband Steve Backshall, 48 – and sending recorded ones back from the Olympic village.
She says she avoids live Facetime calls as the twins wouldn’t understand why she wasn’t at their home in Berkshire.
But she said she had a special birthday video in store for little Logan, sung with Polly.
She said: “He sent me a video message last night and said he was proud of me – he has been my inspiration. Three years ago he came into this world.
“Every time I see videos of the kids while here it is really nice because it keeps me grounded. I think about what they all mean to me. Everything I do out there on the water is for them.
“I want to show them what commitment and passion looks like.”
She said the videos “bring them along on the journey” as does mum being on TV.
She added: “They are seeing the fruits of the watt bike in the utility room and me lifting weights between making their dinner.” And the adults back home have been pulling their weight for Helen too.
“Steve and my mum have been a real support network, they never make me feel like I have dropped the ball,” she said.
“They are key to me going away knowing the children are happy and I can be the best athlete I can be. I will not be
able to stay until